"Lay a hand on my twin again and you won't need Elijah to kill you,"

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Clarissa's head throbbed as she felt herself placed on a couch, her head lolling to the side, barely awake.

Her memory was fuzzy, and she hardly recalled getting knocked out just after the masquerade ball where her friends tried to end Katherine's life once and for all. 

Key word, tried.

Despite their efforts, Katherine was fortunate enough to have a witch on her side, resulting in Elena suffering the same injuries she had.

For some reason, Katherine was fond of Clarissa enough to spare her from the same harm.

"That's got to be a lie," Damon said, scoffing as Katherine rolled her eyes, offended.

"It's not," Faith and Grace responded simultaneously, causing Clarissa to smile.   

They were like her and Elena.

Clarissa didn't want to dwell on it too much, figuring out it was a waste of time and effort.

"Please, I'm hurt,"

"I know. Just a taste," 

"No!"

Clarissa's eyes flickered open, and she grasped the rope tied around her wrists to choke the vampire. 

She yanked him back forcefully, preventing him from harming Elena, her jaw clenched.

Elena smiled slightly, glad her sister was there to protect her.

She could always count on her.

"Leave her be," Clarissa warned him, her head whipping to the right as she heard someone come in, noticing a female vampire with a pixie cut.

She was oddly calm for someone whose friend was being choked.

But then again, they were vampires. 

Clarissa sighed as she relented, seeing her gaze, releasing the rope and raising her hands in mock surrender. "Did you really think I'd let him harm her?"

Rose shrugged nonchalantly, her gaze shifting to Trevor who had risen from the ground swiftly, his glare fixed on the younger doppelganger. 

"So, you must be Clarissa, the younger one," Rose mused, her eyes flickering between the doppelgangers momentarily.

"That would be me," Clarissa affirmed with composure in her tone, despite the trickle of blood seeping from the side of her head - evidence of their less-than-gentle methods for knocking her out.

"Who the hell are you? What do you want with us?" Clarissa inquired, her gaze sharpening and her guard firmly raised.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Clarissa adjusted a bandana above Elena's bleeding arm, attempting to slow the bleeding to a minimum, her concern for her sister's well-being clear as day. 

"Are you alright?" the younger twin asked, her gaze flickering back and forth as she ensured the makeshift bandage was secure, eager to avoid further harm.

"I'm fine. You're the one who's bleeding profusely," Elena replied, though she did not protest, silently wishing she could magically heal just like vampires.

"Just a little bump on the head," Clarissa told her nonchalantly, ripping a piece off from her tank top, and applying it to her forehead to absorb the dripping blood. "It's nothing serious,"

The other brunette, scoffing at her twin, responded sardonically, "A little bump? You could easily have a concussion."

Clarissa, rolling her eyes at Elena's concern, retorted, "Don't go all doctorly on me. You'd still be bleeding if I hadn't patched you up like a little girl scout," she smirked, tightening the bandana just a bit more to emphasize her point.

Elena winced at the increased pressure, but Clarissa just smiled innocently in response.

"Yeah, that's Claire's love language. Hurting people," Bonnie commented, observing the situation with a slight chuckle. 

"It's not a love language, it's a hobby," Clarissa told her with an innocent smile. 

"You have a problem," Jeremy told his sister who shrugged, not really caring. "You smoke pot, I hurt people who annoy me. So what I have a problem,"

"You have more than one," Damon replied, causing her to turn to him. 

"Like what?" the brunette crossed her arms, raising her eyebrow.

"An attitude problem, for one," the Salvatore replied with a smirk. 

"I don't have an attitude problem, you have a problem with my attitude," 

"So you called him?"

"No, I called one of his contacts. You know how this works,"

"Did you or did you not get the message to Elijah?"

"You're about to meet your baby mama," Kol couldn't help but smirk as he unleashed the provocative statement at Elijah, earning himself a swift slap on the head delivered by none other than Rebekah. 

She took satisfaction in the act, knowing Elijah wouldn't have the heart to do it himself. 

Kol rubbed his head, feigning hurt, but in truth, the smirk never truly left his face.

Silently removing her heels, Clarissa approached the stairs, ascending with quiet steps.

Her goal? To eavesdrop on their conversation. 

If they wouldn't willingly reveal their intentions toward her and Elena, she would uncover the truth on her own.

"They say he got it,"

"Wonderful. And what?"

"So that's it, Trevor. He either got it or he didn't. We just have to wait,"

"It's not too late. We can leave her. We don't have to go through with this,"

"I'm sick of running,"

"Yeah? Well running keeps us from dying,"

"Elijah's old-school. If he accepts our deal, we're free," 

As Clarissa gently inched closer to her destination, the floorboards made an unexpected, ear-piercing creak, drawing her attention to Elena in a quick glance who followed behind her, the floor creaking under her sneakers.

Oh for God's sake.

Rose's head snapped to them, her gaze fixed on the twins. "You two! There's nothing here for miles. If you think you're getting out of this house, you're tragically wrong, understand?"

"Who is Elijah?" Elena's eyes widened with mild terror as she asked.

"He's your worst nightmare," Rose, her expression unflinching, responded darkly.

Unfazed, Clarissa interjected, moving past them to grab her heels as she retorted. "My worst nightmare is the Wickery Bridge and the Mystic Falls river, followed by drowning. I doubt a vampire, no matter how ancient, can top that,"

Clarissa's eyes fell slightly at her comment, tilting her head down. 

God, sometimes her self-deprecating jokes were too much.

If she didn't lower her head, she'd notice Elijah's eyes on her, full of worry for the doppelganger.

"You know you're dumb, right?"

"Wonderful way to start a conversation," Clarissa smiled, proud of herself.

Trevor halted abruptly at Clarissa's unexpected words.

"Excuse me?" he exclaimed, taken aback as he turned to look at her.

Clarissa was reading some book she found, unfazed, her heels now placed back on her feet.

Lying on the couch on her stomach, she spoke with calculated precision.

"Okay, logically speaking," she began, her voice steady. "You two are old, but not ancient, as you're aware of Katherine's true name, Katerina Petrova. Younger vampires wouldn't know that indicating you're likely older than her – around five to six hundred years, let's say,"

"However, the fact you're intimidated, no, scared by this Elijah indicates he's much older than you, possibly by centuries. So, it's logical to assume he's extremely dangerous," Trevor tried to interject, his curiosity piqued, but Clarissa cut him off with a raised finger, refusing to interrupt her thought process.

"I'm not done," she interjected firmly, her eyes never leaving the book in her hands as she pushed her hair behind her ears to better focus on the text.

Clarissa continued, her voice unfazed, "You're facing an ancient, possibly one of the eldest vampires, who possesses knowledge and power beyond your understanding. You're in over your heads, and the odds are stacked against you,"

"How-" Trevor attempted to speak again, but her steely gaze and unwavering finger silenced him, telling him to remain silent and allow her to complete her deduction.

"It's simple psychology," she explained, a hint of condescension in her tone, returning to the book. "You've lost the element of surprise and leverage. The power dynamic has shifted dramatically. Elijah not only knows your names but probably your weaknesses. He holds all the cards,"

"So, let's be real here: unless you've got some secret, superpowered weapon or ally that nobody knows about, you're screwed. Royally," Clarissa concluded, her voice carrying an unnerving calmness.

"You should probably start praying that Elijah is in a charitable mood or willing to negotiate," she advised, finally turning a page in her book. "Because right now, you and Rose are the underdogs in this scenario. Possibly dead,"

The doppelganger finally met Trevor's gaze, her eyes reflecting a stoic finality. "So, before you make another reckless decision, I suggest you start thinking about what your next move should be. Otherwise, you might not have a next move at all,"

As Trevor stood before her, stunned by her analysis, Clarissa added a final warning with unwavering certainty. "Lay a hand on my twin again and you won't need Elijah to kill you,"

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Slowly, the door to the house creaked open, revealing a figure dressed in an immaculate suit, his dark brown hair brushed just above his eyes. 

It was none other than Elijah Mikaelson, one of the Originals.

"Rose-Marie," Elijah calmly addressed Rose, his voice carrying a chilling undertone, "Is there somewhere we can talk?"

Rose took a deep, shaky breath, her unease was evident as she gestured nervously towards a room. "Yes, in here. You have to forgive the house,"

Elijah dismissed her concern with a simple wave of his hand. "Oh, don't worry. What's a little dirt? I completely understand," he closed the door behind him, leading her into the specified room.

"I wanted my freedom. I'm tired of running. Are you in a position to grant me that?" the vampire inquired, her eyes on Elijah, the tension in her body clear.

"I have complete authority to grant pardon to you and your little pet. What's his name these days? Trevor... if I so see fit," he informed her, clicking his tongue, his back to her.

"Katerina Petrova,"

Elijah turned, his face voice of emotion, moving to sit in a nearby armchair. "I'm listening,"

"She didn't burn in the church in 1864," Rose said carefully, looking for a reaction. "She survived,"

"Where is she?" the Original replied, not moved by the information he knew already.

"You don't seem surprised by this," she observed, feeling her chances of freedom slipping through her fingers like sand slowly.

"Oh when you called me and invited me to this armpit of civilization... which is a mere three hours from the town we know as Mystic Falls, I surmised it had everything to do with Katerina," Elijah mused, smiling slightly, the first hint of emotion he showed. "Do you have her in your possession?"

"No, but I have better. I have her doppelgangers," Rose asserted, her confidence growing as she moved closer to Elijah. 

Elijah's eyes narrowed slightly, unconvinced by her bold statement. "That's impossible. Her family line ended with her. I know that for a fact," he stated with certainty. "And two human doppelgangers cannot exist," 

"Unless, of course, they are twins," Rose retorted, raising an eyebrow. "Well, show them to me,"

The younger vampire hesitated, her weariness evident. "Elijah, you're a man of honor... you're to be trusted, but I wanna hear you say it again,"

"You have my word that I will pardon you," after a moment of silence, Elijah finally responded, his tone firm.

"Follow me," Rose then said and walked away, the Original following after her.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Clarissa's head turned when she heard footsteps, her brown eyes landing on the Original.

Elijah's eyes lingered on the twins before he sped to them, the brunette pulling her twin behind her, a strand of hair falling into her eyes.

He smiled slightly at the action before he leaned down to smell her blood and Clarissa's breath hitched in her throat at the close proximity.

When he stood straight again, he looked at Elena.

"Human. It's impossible," Elijah said and looked down at Clarissa.

"Hello there," he stepped closer to Clarissa who remained in her position, looking up at the vampire, keeping her twin behind her.

"We have a long journey ahead. We should be going," Elijah said calmly before Elena turned to look at the vampires.

"Please, don't let him take us," Elena said, tears in her eyes and fear in her voice were clear.

"One last piece of business. Then we're done," Elijah said and turned away from the twins.

"I've waited so long for this day, Elijah. I'm truly very sorry," Trevor admitted, stepping closer to the Original.

"Oh, no, your apology is not necessary," Elijah replied as Clarissa's eyes watched.

She was right, Trevor was screwed.

"Yes. Yes, it is. You trusted me with Katerina and I failed you," Trevor said again, pleading.

"Well, yes, you are the guilty one. And Rose aided you because she was loyal to you that I honor. Where was your loyalty?" Elijah questioned and Trevor nervously shivered.

"I beg for your forgiveness,"

"So granted," Elijah said and Trevor smiled slightly, relieved.

Clarissa covered the eyes of her daughters, anticipating what would happen.

"Close your eyes," with a swift motion, Clarissa spun Elena around, shielding her from the gruesome sight of Trevor lying dead on the floor. 

As Elena covered her mouth in horror, Rose's anger flared, preparing to launch an attack on Elijah.

Elijah intervened, his voice firm and commanding, completely calm. "Don't, Rose. Now that you're free," his gaze shifted to the twins. 

Elena remained frozen, her hand still covering her mouth, her fear palpable. 

Clarissa stood beside her, her expression stoic, her hand gently resting on Elena's arm as a gesture of protection.

Elijah moved closer to the twins, his calm demeanor not wavering. "Come," he simply ordered.

Elena's eyes widened involuntarily, her mind racing. "No, what about the moonstone?"

Deciding it was safe, Clarissa uncovered their eyes, getting smiles in return.

The twins didn't have the heart to tell her they'd both seen and done worse things.

Clarissa immediately understood that Elena was about to make a grave mistake. "Elena, no," she quickly intervened, but she was too late.

Elijah's attention shifted to the older twin, his words taking on a curious edge. "What do you know about the moonstone?" 

Elena, her courage rising in her chest, boldly replied, "I know that you need it, and I know where it is,"

Elijah's stoic expression remained unchanged, but he gave a subtle acknowledgment of her words with a slight nod.

Clarissa, seeing the futility of continuing to deny it, spoke up to offer assistance. "We can help you get it,"

Elijah's gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on Elena. "Tell me where it is," he ordered, his tone firm.

"It doesn't work like that," Elena's spine straightened, determination evident in her response. 

Elijah's composure remained unflinching as he tilted his head to the side, an amused expression crossing his face. "Are you negotiating with me?"

Rose, her eyes still brimming with unshed tears, answered the Original's silent question. "It's the first I've heard of it," she gritted out, her frustration and sadness mixing.

Elijah's gaze had already shifted to Elena's neck, his eyes falling upon her necklace. "What is this vervain doing on your neck?" he muttered with irritation.

Not giving her a moment to respond, he swiftly ripped the necklace from her neck and flung it aside.

Clarissa immediately moved, placing herself between them, tilting her chin higher, her eyes filled with determination, as if to dare the Original. "It's in the tomb underneath the church ruins with Katherine,"

A shattering sound, like glass breaking, echoed through the room moments later.

Elijah's eyes snapped to the sound, his curiosity piqued. "What is that?" he inquired of Rose.

Rose shrugged, equally perplexed. "I don't know," she admitted.

Elijah's focus remained fixed on the unknown intrusion. "Who else is in this house?" he pressed again.

Rose responded with a simple, "I don't know," her voice tinged with a hint of frustration.

Exasperated, Elijah took matters into his own hands, grabbing the twins and pulling them away.

He began walking, not waiting for a response, his grip firm as he practically dragged them behind him.

In a blur of movement, a vampire moved around them with supernatural speed. Before the twins could react, Elijah quickly pushed them towards Rose.

"Rose?" Elijah's voice rang out, a mix of annoyance and inquiry in his tone.

"I don't know who it is," Rose responded, her voice filled with genuine bewilderment.

Stefan's voice reverberated through the house, coming from upstairs. "Up here."

Elijah, his irritation evident, promptly accelerated up the stairs, his eyes darting around the surrounding area.

"Down here," Damon's voice echoed from an unseen location.

Despite his seemingly disembodied presence, there was no trace of him in sight.

Clarissa watched as a stake pierced Elijah's hand, and he wrenched it out, tossing it aside.

Suddenly, someone whisked Elena and Rose out of sight at lightning speed, following with Clarissa.

Recognizing Damon as the one responsible, Clarissa caught sight of him gesturing for her to keep silent, a finger pressed against his lips.

She nodded in understanding, acknowledging his nonverbal request.

Elijah's voice echoed through the space, dripping with annoyance and thinly veiled anger. "Excuse me," he began, addressing his invisible opponent with a sarcastic edge.

"To whom it may concern," Elijah continued, his tone dripping with condescension. "You're making a great mistake if you think that you can beat me. You can't. You hear that? I repeat," he announced, punctuating his words by snapping the nearby coat rack in half with a single, effortless motion.

"You cannot beat me,"

"Cocky much?" Clarissa chimed in, the words tinged with a hint of playfulness. 

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she glanced over at Elijah, who chuckled softly in response.

Turning back to the screen, a bright smile spread across her face. 

Oblivious to Elijah's watchful gaze, she remained blissfully unaware of his attention on her.

"I'll come with you. Just please, don't hurt my friends. They only wanted to protect me," Elena stepped into the room, cradling her injured arm.

Elijah didn't hesitate, swiftly ascending the steps with vampire speed. "Where is your sister?"

Elena reached for a